Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan is a classic Italian-inspired meal that’s easy to make and perfect for busy days. This hands-off cooking method makes tender, juicy chicken that’s slow-cooked in Mariana sauce and then finished with a topping of rich shredded cheese. Serve it over pasta for a one-pot dish everyone will love!
Make busy weeknights easy with more Crock Pot chicken recipes like Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs, Lemon Chicken or 5-Ingredient Buffalo Chicken.
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5 Star Reader Comment
I browned my breaded chicken in a cast iron skillet before adding it to sauce. It was great.
Kim
Quick dinners that I can “set and forget” in my slow cooker are something I became very good at making over the years. You might think of chicken parmesan as something laborious, but after many years of testing, I’ve developed the perfect way to make it in the crock pot.
Why You’ll Love This Updated Classic Recipe
- Juicy Chicken: The chicken is tender and juicy, cooked perfectly, and coated with a divine Italian herb and cheese sauce.
- Quick to Make: It’s easy to make with a store-bought shortcut. Grab a jar of spaghetti sauce or your favorite marinara to make things easy. Cooked low and slow in the crockpot, the tangy tomato sauce infuses the chicken with incredible flavor.
- One-Pot Meal: Everything is cooked in one crock pot. Sprinkle the dish with cheese, then serve with a simple, fresh green salad and crusty bread.
Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan Ingredients
- I always use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but you can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
- Grab your favorite marinara sauce or spaghetti sauce. Homemade or store-bought both work great.
- You’ll need grated parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, and eggs to make the breading.
- Italian seasoning, red chili flakes, garlic powder, and kosher salt yield the most incredible, mouthwatering flavor.
- More cheese is always better, so this recipe uses shredded mozzarella cheese. Purchasing a block and shredding yourself for optimal melting is the best and easiest method.
- Fresh basil or parsley makes for the best garnish.
Recipe Variations
- Mozzarella and Basil Twist: After placing the chicken breasts in the slow cooker, add a layer of fresh basil leaves. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the basil for a gooey and flavorful twist.
- Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomatoes Infusion: For extra flavor, mix chopped sun-dried tomatoes into the marinara sauce. Layer fresh spinach leaves on top of the chicken before pouring the sauce.
- Pesto Parmesan Upgrade: Mix pesto sauce and olive oil. Coat the chicken breasts with the pesto mixture before placing them in the slow cooker.
Step By Step Directions
- Start the Sauce: Add the marinara or spaghetti sauce to the crock pot.
- Make the Breading: Whisk eggs and water in a shallow bowl. In a separate shallow bowl, add bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Bread the Chicken: Dip each chicken breast in egg mixture, then bread crumb mixture, coating all sides. Place on top of the marinara sauce.
- Cook: Place the lid on the crock pot. Cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours. When the chicken is done, sprinkle on more cheese, then place the lid back on the crock pot for 5 minutes until the cheese is melted.
- Serve: Cook the spaghetti while the cheese is melting. Serve the pasta with chicken topped with sauce and a sprinkle of cheese.
Donya’s Cooking Tips
- Pound the Chicken: This ensures even cooking. Place chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper and use a meat mallet or the bottom of a skillet to pound to an even thickness.
- Breadcrumb Mixture: Use a mix of breadcrumbs (Italian seasoned is a favorite) and grated Parmesan cheese. The cheese adds flavor and helps the breading become crispier when frying.
- Layering: Place a small amount of sauce on the chicken before the cheese. This prevents the breading from becoming soggy.
Frequently Asked Questions
I use an oval-shaped 6-quart slow cooker. The shape allows for a package of 3 chicken breasts to fit nicely inside the crock pot bowl with ample room for the sauce. If you are doubling this recipe, use a larger Crock Pot. I have an 8-quart slow cooker, which works beautifully.
The USDA recommends thawing meat in the refrigerator before using it in a crock pot recipe. Otherwise, frozen chicken in the slow cooker might take too long to cook at a safe temperature (above 165°F), allowing bacteria to grow. I think it’s always best to err on the side of caution when cooking meat. Safety first, right?
LOW – 4 to 5 hours
HIGH – 3 to 4 hours
Before serving, test the chicken to make sure it’s cooked. An instant-read thermometer should register 165 degrees when inserted in the middle of the chicken breasts.
The answer to this question is…any pasta that you like! Or, even better, whatever type of pasta you have on hand. My family prefers spaghetti, but penne pasta, fettuccine, rigatoni, and farfalle are also great choices.
Serving Suggestions
This recipe is so good served with Creamy Baked Fettuccine, or Creamy Stovetop Cheese Tortellini. I also love serving it with Roasted Broccoli, Easy Roasted Asparagus, and Skillet Green Beans. Oh, and don’t forget leftovers. This chicken parmesan recipe makes a great sandwich!
Craving More? Try These Crock Pot Recipes
If you tried this Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 – 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 24-ounce jar marinara sauce or spaghetti sauce
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon water
- ½ cup bread crumbs
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup grated Mozzarella cheese
- 1 pound spaghetti
- fresh basil or parsley for garnish if desired
Instructions
- Add the marinara or spaghetti sauce to the crock pot.
- In a shallow bowl, add eggs and water, whisking together. To a separate shallow bowl, add bread crumbs, ½ cup of Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and garlic powder, then whisk to combine.
- Dip each chicken breast in egg mixture, then bread crumb mixture, coating all sides. Place on top of the marinara sauce.
- Place lid on the crock pot. Cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours.
- When the chicken is done, take the lid off the crock pot and sprinkle ½ cup of Parmesan and the Mozzarella cheese over the chicken. Place the lid back on the crock pot for 5 minutes until the cheese is melted.
- While the cheese is melting, cook the spaghetti according to the box directions. Serve chicken over cooked pasta along with the additional sauce. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Notes
- Mozzarella and Basil Twist: After placing the chicken breasts in the slow cooker, add a layer of fresh basil leaves. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the basil for a gooey and flavorful twist.
- Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomatoes Infusion: For extra flavor, mix chopped sun-dried tomatoes into the marinara sauce. Layer fresh spinach leaves on top of the chicken before pouring the sauce.
- Pesto Parmesan Upgrade: Mix pesto sauce and olive oil. Coat the chicken breasts with the pesto mixture before placing them in the slow cooker.
Nutrition
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Kim
I browned my breaded chicken in a cast iron skillet before adding it to sauce. It was great.
Great idea! Thank, Kim.
~Donya
Roger
How do u make the chicken crisp? Won’t it be kind of mushy in the crock pot?
This recipe is not meant to produce crispy Chicken Parmesan. The chicken is tender, juicy, and not mushy. It has a light flavorful coating and goes so well with the marinara and pasta.
If you give it a try, let me know.
Have a great day,
~Donya
priya singh
There are lots of food blogger like this But the best food recipe ” Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan” is yours. Thanks for giving me this wonderful blog. I will try to make it like you.
Donya
Hey there Priya!
Wow! Reading your kind words has me smiling from ear to ear, I am so happy to hear that you’re excited about this recipe, I think you’re really going to love it! If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out, I’m always happy to help! Thank you so much for your support, I really hope you enjoy this recipe!
~Donya